Phyllis Audrey Marsteller's Obituary
Phyllis Audrey (Evans) Marsteller passed away peacefully at age 100 on March 25, 2025, in Clearwater, FL, surrounded by her loving family, just days short of her 101st birthday. Born to Evan John and Ella (Erickson) Evans in Cleveland, OH, on March 29, 1924, she was raised in Cleveland Heights, OH, along with her older sister, Jean.
Following her graduation from Cleveland Heights High School during WWII, she continued her studies at Case Western Reserve University, graduating in three years with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics, a major that she happily utilized for the rest of her life. She was a gracious and frequent hostess to a myriad of gatherings and events, both in her home and at the church. Throughout her years in Cleveland Heights, OH, Erie, PA, Houston, TX and Clearwater, FL, her cooking skills were legendary; making 4-layer birthday cakes for family birthdays, preparing a favorite meal when visiting, or baking and sending a special treat in a Care Package.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Ivan Clayton Marsteller (2015), and her sister Jean Boothby (1995). She is survived by her devoted children: Timothy (Judith Bosner) Marsteller of Erie, PA; John “Jack” (Joana Gallo) Marsteller of Manhattan Beach, CA; and Deborah “Debbie” (Richard) Figaski of Clearwater, FL. She also leaves behind six grandchildren who were “the lights of her life”, becoming good friends with them as they grew older: Courtney (Michael) Wolf of Royersford, PA; Ashley (Michael) Esper of Erie, PA; Tenley Marsteller of Cincinnati, OH; Rich Figaski of Clearwater, FL; Kyle (Ron) Eiben of Bristow, VA; and John “Jackson” (Jennifer Pett) Marsteller of Cedar Park, TX. She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren who were “her new sunshine”: Oliver Conrad and Drew Audrey Eiben, Josephine Joyce Marsteller, and a new great-granddaughter Esper due in June. At the time of her passing, Phyllis was mourning the loss of a great-grandson (John Philip II) who passed in utero on March 21, 2025.
Family was the focal point of Phyllis’ life and she passionately used her talents in sewing, knitting, cross-stitch and in the kitchen to make gifts for her children and grandchildren. From clothes to framed wall displays, Christmas stockings and birth announcements, she would spend time daily on her handicraft or cooking projects. She and Ivan travelled extensively throughout the world—including China, Japan, New Zealand, Africa, Israel and many European countries. It was important for Phyllis and Ivan to help the family celebrate, so they also travelled to be present at many of their grandchildren’s high school and college graduations, as well as their various high school and college team games and meets.
Contributing to the community was important to Phyllis, and the Methodist Church was typically first on her list. She served on numerous committees at Kingsley United Methodist Church, usually in a leadership role. During her children’s school years in Erie, PA, she became a strong advocate for education and served as Room Mother, President of the PTA and as a select member of a community-wide task force. As an active member of AAUW, she became a part of many study groups on a variety of topics and received training. She presented programs in the community to educate young children regarding healthy living in their homes and neighborhoods. She also served on the Board of Sarah Reed Retirement Community for 10 years, having to resign when the family relocated to Houston, TX.
Not only was Phyllis a prolific reader, but she spent countless hours volunteering to help others learn how to read. After attending a program about a method to teach adults how to read, held at the Chautauqua Institute in 1986, she sought out training and spent many years volunteering weekly with individuals to teach them to read, some of whom had already graduated high school. When residing In Houston, she worked at The Baylor College of Medicine as an administrative assistant in the office of the internationally renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey and his two sisters, Dr. Lois DeBakey and Dr. Selma DeBakey.
She continued to engage in her love of helping others when she moved and “retired” to Clearwater, FL. She volunteered weekly at a local middle school for over 25 years, working with small groups of students who needed additional support in academics. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year more than once; an award that she proudly accepted but rarely ever told anyone about.
Phyllis embraced an active retirement lifestyle at the On Top of the World (OTOW) community in Clearwater. She and Ivan were members of First United Methodist Church of Clearwater (FUMC) where she served on the Church Council and Altar Guild. Phyllis golfed weekly until she turned 90 and was Secretary of her building until she was 98. She loved attending the daily exercise class and took many walks using the trail around the lake at OTOW. She was fiercely independent and had an insatiable quest for knowledge.
“May I be blessed with love sincere
From those whose love I cherish.
And may my progeny revere
My example when I perish.” Reed Irvine
A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church of Clearwater, 411 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 1 pm., followed by inurnment at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park Columbarium, 2853 Sunset Point Rd., Clearwater, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations may be made to: First United Methodist Church of Clearwater, 411 Turner Street, Clearwater,FL 33756 or Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org
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